Lithuania leaves China behind

(BEIJING, August 20) -- Coach Jonas Kazlauskas was unable to lead China past the team from his home country, and Lithuania won the quarterfinal match 94-68 on Wednesday, August 20, eliminating China and advancing to the Men's Basketball semifinal.

After China guard Sun Yue hit two free throws for the first points of the game, he set the trend for a game where 24 of China's 68 points came from foul shots. Center Yao Ming went to the line five times just in the third quarter, and shot 10 for 10 on his way to 11 made free throws all game.

While Lithuania led scoring in every period, China was able to enjoy a lead once more after Yue's first shots of the game. China regained a 13-12 lead after forward Yi Jianlian took a two-pointer inside the paint, and carried that lead to 17-14 after captain Liu Wei sunk a jumper and Yi hit two free throws. Lithuania started scoring and a buzzer-beater three points from Ramunas Siskauskas closed the first period with a 19-17 Lithuania lead.

After this tight opening quarter, China did not see the lead again. Incredibly, Yao went to the line early in the second period to take three foul shots, after forward Robertas Javtokas played him tight on the perimeter and Yao decided to launch the ball from behind the arc. He only sank one of three shots. Lithuania jumped quickly to a 25-20 lead after Javtokas, Siskauskas and forward Linas Kleiza ran the ball fast on a couple plays, and forced China to a timeout.

Javtokas commented on his team's strategy against Yao. "You know, we always give him a little physical contact," he said. "And also our little guys denied the passes into him. I think he got very tired."

Lithuania outscored China 22-13 in the second period to go to the half 41-30,and continued to outpace and outshoot to a 70-53 score at the end of the third, and a 94-68 final.

Lithuania led the game with 42 percent three-point shooting to China's 19 percent. Lithuania also nabbed 12 steals to China's three, and although China had 24 points on free throws, the Lithuanian side was 100 percent at the line for 13 free throw baskets.

Sarunas Jasikevicius led all scorers with 23 points, followed on his team by Kleiza and Siskauskas with 15 apiece.

Yao led China's scoring with 19 points, 11 from free throws. Yi sunk 11 points and pulled nine rebounds, while Liu Wei contributed 10 points and tied Yao with seven boards.